LCD panel makers are expecting a banner year in 2008 thanks to the
fast-approaching switch
from analog broadcasts to digital broadcasts due in February,
2009. LCD makers are expecting a record year with shortages in the
LCD market keeping demand for panels up.

The LCD panel market looks so good for 2008 that the Wall
Street Journal reports many of the LCD industries biggest panel
makers are greatly increasing
their capital spending in 2008 to increase production capacity
for LCD panels.

Samsung announced it intends to increase its capital spending to
3.7 trillion won or $3.9 billion USD. This figure represents double
the capital spending from Samsung last year. Sharp also plans to
increase its capital spending with 197 billion yen, or about $1.85
billion USD earmarked.

The market projections from several research companies are
predicting strong growth in the LCD market in 2008. iSuppli is
forecasting revenue of $82.1 billion USD this year, a 14% increase,
for the LCD industry.

The downside to the increased capital spending in 2008 will be
felt in 2009 when the increased production capacity makes for an
oversupply in the market. This excess of LCD panels is expected to
hurt the LCD makers in 2009 by driving prices down. Market-research
firm WitsView general manager Henry Wang told the Wall Street
Journal, “Currently, I'm expecting an oversupply in 2009, but
it could come earlier.” Some analysts are saying the oversupply
could come as early as Q4 2008.

LCD panel makers have been scrambling over the last year to build
alliances with competitors to allow for lower production costs and to
meet consumer demand for LCD panels.

No.. they are not.. They are talking about LCD's in general because of the FCC shutdown mandate of all analogue TV stations. OLED is a ways off of being mainstream, especially if LCD prices continue to fall as the article states. Currently only small screen OLED's have been produced, and i would not expect 42inch plus models to become mainstream for 5 or 6 years. But if you are looking at a huge 20 incher, then sure wait for OLED in 2009 ;).

TN has actually come a long way since the beginning, so much so to the point where some might argue that its even better than PVA/MVA for personal use (ie computer screens) whereas PVA/MVA are better for things like TVs due to better viewing angles and blacks.

The great part is that IPS really has lived on with TV panels and there are many companies that offer them and even advertise it as an advantage. LG, Phillips and Hitachi all produce S-IPS TVs - and the best part is that they can be found at very competitive prices unlike on the PC market where IPS is pretty exclusive to the high end when we don't consider panel lotteries (ie a model that is built using different panel technologies and you never know which one you're going to get)

So basically the LCD manufacturers are counting on lots of people who don't know better to go buy new LCD TVs thinking that next year their old analog TV will go dark, when in reality most people who can afford an LCD HDTV are using cable or satalite and won't be affected. Everyone else will be just use the converter box coupons and continue with their old analog TV.Then in 09 reality will set in and we'll be back to business as usual.

Either that or the LCD manufacturers don't understand the digital TV switch either.

I guess it could be a great excuse if you were trying to talk a wife or girlfriend into a new TV though (assuming they didn't know better too).

Its what my dad just did, although i think he fell into the category that he thought his old TV wouldn't work anymore...even though they have satellite. But i like the bigger TV when i go to visit them so i didn't mention it.